Stayers Hurdle (World Hurdle/Spa Hurdle)

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 The Stayers Hurdle, also known as the World Hurdle, is an important Grade 1 race over 3 miles, but started off as the Stayers Selling Hurdle in 1912, which in turn was replaced by the Spa Hurdle in 1939, albeit over just 2 miles, but in 1942 it was increased to 3 miles as a stayers race, although the Spa Hurdle was also staged as a one-off in 1923.
Early history:-Whilst it is difficult to put a precise date on when this race was first run, a 3 mile stayers hurdle was contested at the second Festival meeting in 1912, although it was a selling race on Wednesday 13th March 1912 when won by Aftermath (11/10 fav) owned by Mr J W Pullen, trained by Newey and ridden by Alf Newey, beating Port Meadow (100/8) and Borodino (10/1) by 15 lengths and 2 lengths.

Over the entire history of the race 38% of favourites have been successful, placing the race 4th of the 28 current races.
Over the entire history of the race a level stake bet of £10 on every favourite would have resulted in a £80 profit, placing the race 3rd of the current 28 races.
Over the entire history of the race the Irish have been successful 18% of occasions, placing the race 20th of the 28 current races.
Spa Hurdle Div 1 1946 Seller 3 miles
Pos. Horse Jockey Trainer Owner
1 HAZE Ron Smyth Vic Smyth 8/1
2 GREAT PATRICK Mullins Keith Piggott 6/1
3 GERMANICUS G Archibald C Beechener 5/1 jt fav
4 TACITUS T F Rimell G Wilson 100/8
5 SPORTING LINK McCalmont Neville Crump 5/1 jt fav
6 STAR SONG Captain R Petre Hemsworth 100/6
7 ARCHERFIELD Bryan Marshall Private 13/2
8 JAMES HOOK P Lay Private 33/1
9 SECOND OVER J Moloney Yates 33/1
10 TRIPOLITE Major D Daly J Hall 100/6
11 SHELPORT W Harty Edwards 33/1
12 MASTER MUSTER G Ancil Ancil 33/1
13 MOUNT ROBERT Mr A Hunter Whiteman 100/6
14 PUNCHESTOWN J Brogan L Robinson 33/1
15 RUSSELL'S FOLLY E Vinall Rayson 33/1
16 MAQUIS F Furney Goldsmith 5/1 jt fav
17 SAAGAR G Spann J Hall 33/1
      Over round 132%
This race was held on Thursday 14th March 1946 when Haze beat Great Patrick and Germanicus by 2 lengths and 1 1/2 lengths